Rugby union is the most popular sport in Fiji (especially the sevens version); however, among others, netball, rugby league, association football, golf, cricket, boxing, surfing, basketball and Outrigger paddling are also widely played.
Sports culture is unique as different racial mixes and cultures come together in a common interest.
The Fiji Sports Council is the custodian of all Fiji Government-owned Sporting Facilities around the country. The Fiji Sports Council is tasked to manage, maintain and upkeep all facilities under its area of responsibility. The Fiji Sports Council is self-funded and does not receive Government Funding for its Operational Expenses. It is also one of the leading providers of quality sports and recreational facilities and programmes at national, regional and international levels. It was established in 1978 under the Fiji Sports Council Act, and a year later, in 1979, it hosted the first South Pacific Games. Fiji Sports Council is not affiliated which looks after National Sporting Organisations. Fiji Sports Council is a separate entity. It manages the facilities. It was established under an Act of Parliament, so it has its own rules. The organisation is headed by its Chief Executive Officer, Litiana Loabuka, who is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Businessman Peter Mazey.
European Commission Seminar on Sport Diplomacy
On 6 December 2016, the European Commission organised in Brussels the Seminar on Sport Diplomacy. This event follows the Report delivered in June 2016 by the High Level Group on Sport Diplomacy (HLG), set up under the initiative of Commissioner Navracsics.
The Seminar was opened by the Prime Minister of Fiji, Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, and Virginie Rozière (MEP) representing the European Parliament, as well as Commissioner Navracsics.
The Hon. Prime Minister shared the Fijian story of how Fiji was making its mark on the international sporting arena and how Fijian players in overseas teams have been instrumental to their teams.
“The potential to enhance the importance of sport in the conduct of international affairs has always been there, such as the ping pong diplomacy that marked the thawing of relations between the US and China in the early 1970s,” he told representatives at the seminar.
“But there are a great number of other opportunities to be explored, especially in funding the development of sport at the grassroots level in developing countries as a means of raising overall living standards.
“Many of the millions of people around the world who have witnessed our sporting prowess may not realise a startling paradox.
“We don’t have the economic strength of the great powers. We don’t have their military strength and the ability to project raw power. But of all the nations in the world, I am convinced that
we do more than all of them – proportional to our size and population – to project soft power on the sporting field.
“Fiji truly punches above its weight in the world of sport. And we have been able to use the natural skills of our people to capture the imaginations of sporting lovers the world over. And establish Fiji as a force to be reckoned with, not only on the sporting field but as a nation.”
He highlighted the government’s initiative on the sporting front at home.
“In many parts of Fiji, we have communities in which sporting facilities consist of an uneven field, two goal posts and a ball. My Government is making it a priority to upgrade sporting facilities, especially in rural communities, whether it is the provision of gym equipment or building a basketball court,” the PM said.
“And can I suggest to you all that assisting us to do this is a valuable development tool in itself?
“Because it not only encourages more community participation in sport but has valuable spin-offs in raising community health standards and in the education of our children.”